On Wednesday, OGGOAexclusively reported that redshirt sophomore linebacker Brendan Beal would be transferring out of the Florida Gators program after two injury plagued seasons. Beal himself confirmed this story during a conversation with Scout.com late Sunday evening.

“I was told tonight by [offensive coordinator] Steve Addazio that I will be given my official release from the University of Florida sometime tomorrow,” Beal told the website. “I spent two years at Florida under several different coaches in which I had the opportunity to learn a lot about football and had some good experiences there. I appreciate the time the coaches gave me during my tenure with the Gators and wish them the best of luck with their program.”

A source close to the team told OGGOA last week that Beal, a Parade All-American and former four-star recruit who sat out the last two seasons with a torn ACL, was “not 100 percent but more like 99 percent” out the door.

His decision ultimately came after he lost out on the opportunity to earn a starting job during spring practice and realized he would likely be the fifth linebacker on the Gators’ depth chart behind senior Brandon Hicks, redshirt senior A.J. Jones, sophomore Jon Bostic and redshirt freshman Jelani Jenkins.

Beal becomes the third former top-rated recruit to leave Florida this offseason, following redshirt sophomore cornerback Adrian Bushell (transfer) and defensive tackle Gary Brown (dismissal). The Gators have decided not to restrict any of the schools that Beal can transfer to and are already allowing universities to contact him.

10 Comments

so he sits out this year and he has a chance to start somewhere else in 2011 but can’t play football in 2010

if he stayed here he gets to play 2010, jones and hicks graduate and he is a starter at UF, he slides up to #3 and he doesn’t lose a year of elgibility

so basically Beal lost an additional year of elgibility because he has already redshirted-ther are additional reasons like he may not see eye to eye with his position coach or wants to be with girlfriend in PA, etc.

I disagree with Drew and Gatorzone… Beal is too slow to play outside at Florida and MLB will be sealed up for the next two seasons by Jenkins or Bostic. He is getting overlooked because of his lack of speed and pursuit – watch practice and O&B game film and you will see it. He will be a better fit at a Big Ten program to match strength vs. strength.

Funny thing is I remember his 40 time coming in was a 4.4, but it seems like a totally different 4.4 than Jenkins is running out at practice, could be due to injury but I think it he is too big to keep up with the current talent at Florida and around the SEC.

For what it’s worth, I happen to agree with Tim and Joe. Beal was not going to make it as an outside linebacker in the SEC and was third on the depth chart inside. This was the right decision for him…of course, that depends where he winds up.

I’m disappointed to see Beal go but agree he’ll see more PT elsewhere. Being too crowded at a particular position is never a bad problem to have as a program. I wonder if he’s heard from Charlie Strong yet. A transfer to Louisville would be a win-win for both parties IMO: Beal wants to get on the field, and UofL is desperate for depth at LB.

It can’t be a girlfriend in PA because he lives in NJ. Was never from PA to begin with. And stop writing the word Bangor in his Florida bio…nobody in that town ever saw the kid for one second. His mom & sisters live in NJ and Brendan had a rented address in Bethlehem, PA for a few months. He only rented an address so he could attend a large Bethlehem High School for 4 mos in his senior year of 2007…his 3rd High school in 4 years. That HS had been to the State finals in 05 & 06 and won the State Championship in 08…ALL WITHOUT HIM. He was a kid who played in a weak league in New Jersey as a soph & junior.
This kid was overhyped to begin with and everyone in NJ & PA is laughing at the Gators for biting on the bait that his daddy put in the water. He was moved around like a chess piece to try to create a myth that he was some superstar LB and he was just an athlete that had a ceiling of a College special teamer at best. He tried to leave Florida LAST YEAR but Boston College told him don’t bother unless he was healthy.
If BC doesn’t want him again, then he will end up at FCS school like Villanova or Delaware.
Meyers recruits some great players and every once in a while, he makes a MISTAKE…this was one of them.

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